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AN 



ACCOUNT 



OP THR 



FUEE^SCHOOI. SOCIETY 



OF 



JS'EW'TORK 



NEW- YORK: '^°^Washvc..^ 

PUBLISHED BY COLLINS AND CO. 

1814. 



H 






AN ACCOUNT 



THE ORIGIN AND PROGRESS. 



THE FREE-SCHOOL SOCIETY. 

J.O extend the benefits of education to the nu- 
merous class of poor children, who were excluded 
from the various charity-schools already established, 
had long been an object of anxious desire with se- 
veral philanthropic characters in the city of New- 
York. At the request of two or three individuals, 
whose attention had been particularly directed to 
the subject, a meeting was called of such persons, 
as were likely to promote the accomplishment of so 
desirable an object. On the nineteenth of the se- 
cond month, (February) 1805, twelve persons ac- 
cordingly assembled, who were decidedly of opinion, 
after a free disclosure of their sentiments, that the 
establishment of schools, for the education of such 
children, was a measure of high importance to the 
community in general, and to that class of the poor 
in particular. At a subsequent meeting, it was de- 



iermined, with the view of giving greater efficiency 
to their exertions, to solicit from the Legislature .of 
the state, which was at that time in session, an act 
of incorporation. A memorial for that purpose was 
accordingly prepared, and signed by about one hun- 
dred of the most public-spirited characters in the 
city. 

The designs of the memorialists were minutely de- 
tailed in this document. It was represented that 
there was a large number of children, who did not 
belong to, or • w^ere not provided for, by any reli- 
gious society ; and who, therefore, did not partake 
of the advantages arising from the different charity- 
schools, established by the various religious societies 
in the city. Destitute of all moral and mental cul- 
ture, they were wandering about the streets, expo- 
sed to the influence of corrupt example, and at a 
time of life, when the impressions which are made, 
generally fix the features of the future character. 
From the want of a virtuous education, they were 
more liable to become the victims of those evils, by 
which public hospitals and alms-houses are often 
filled with objects of disease and poverty, and so- 
ciety burdened with taxes for their support. The 
Legislature was therefore respectfully solicited to 
sanction the undertaking of the memorialists, by 
granting them a charter, and such pecuniary aid as 
they might deem proper. 

The importance of the institutions, contemplated 
by the applicants, was duly appreciated by the Le- 
gislature ; and an act was passed, without any oppo- 



sition, on the ninth of the fourth month, (April) 1 805> 
entitled, " An act to incorporate the society institu- 
ted in the city of New- York, for the establishment 
of a Free-School, for the education of poor children, 
who do not belong to, or are not provided for, by 
any religious society." In this act it was directed, 
that, on the first Monday in May in every year, there 
should be elected thirteen Trustees to manage the 
affairs of the society, who should be members of the 
said corporation, and actually residing in the city of 
^ew-York : that the Trustees should meet regularly 
on the second Monday in every month, and that se- 
ven or more of them, so convened, should be a legal 
meeting of the Board : That any person, who should 
contribute to the society the sum of eight dollars, 
should be a member thereof; and that any person, 
who should contribute the sum of twenty-five dol- 
lars, should be a member, and be further entitled, 
during the life of such contributor, to send one child 
to be educated at any school under the care of the so- 
ciety; and whoever should contribute the sum of 
forty dollars, should be a member, and be en- 
titled to send two children, to be educated at 
any school under the direction of the said society. 
In conformity with the provisions of this act, 
thirteen Trustees were elected on the tenth of the 
fifth month, (May) 1805: and as they were chief- 
ly persons, with whom the plan of the institution 
originated, it may not, perhaps, be unimportant 
to record their names. The first Board of Trus- 
tees was composed of th^ following persons: 



De Witt Clinton, President, 

John Murray, Jun. Vice-President, 

Leonard Bleecker, Treasurer, 

Benjamin D. Perkins, Secretary, 

Gilbert Aspinwall, 

Thomas Eddy, 

Thomas Franklin, 

Matthew Franklin, 

Adrian Hegeman, 

William Johnson, 

Samuel Miller, 

Benjamin G. Minturn, 

Henry Ten Brook. 

The association had now assumed a responsible 
shape ; and the Trustees soon perceived that they 
had undertaken a great and arduous task. The 
erection of a building suitable for a school, the 
salary of a teacher, and other charges incident 
to such an establishment, would require a fund of 
considerable amount. Sensible, however, of the 
importance of the undertaking, and anxious that 
the friendless objects, whose welfare they had in 
view, should begin to participate in the benefits 
designed to be bestowed upon them, they deter- 
mined to make an immediate application to their 
fellow-citizens for pecuniary assistance. 

To afford a full view of the wishes and in- 
tentions of the society, an address to the public, 
with the names of the Trustees annexed to it, was 
circulated in all the Newspapers of the city. 



It was stated in this address, that the society 
did not intend to interfere with any existing in- 
stitution ; but, like gleaners in the wide field of 
benevolence, they sought such objects only as were 
left by those who had gone before, or were fellow- 
labourers with them, in the great work of charity. 
They considered early instruction, and fixed habits 
of industry, decency, and order, to be the surest 
safeguards of virtuous conduct; and that, where 
parents were either unable or unwilling to bestow 
the necessary attention on the education of their 
children, it became the duty of the public, and of 
those individuals Avho had the power, to assist 
them in the discharge of this important obligation. 

Although considerable exertions, in the business 
of soliciting subscriptions, were made by the Trus- 
tees, yet several unexpected circumstances occur- 
red to prevent, in that respect, the immediate 
realization of their wishes. Nearly twelve months 
elapsed, before they had collected a sum suffi- 
cient to warrant them in making the requisite en- 
gagements for opening a school. 

A mode of teaching the elementary parts of 
learning, as novel in its principles, as it is suc- 
cessful in its practical results, had been recently 
adopted in Great Britian. It was the discovery of 
Joseph Lancaster, who was then superintending, in 
London, a school of about one thousand children, 
with extraordinary success. Economy in expense, 
and facility and expedition in communicating in- 
struction, were the characteristic distinctions of this 
system. It comprehended reading, writing, and arith- 



u 



metic. The scholars themselves were made ihe in- 
struments of their own instruction. A school wag 
divided into classes of ten or fifteen scholars, who 
were placed under the care and direction of a 
monitor, and he was himself a scholar in a class 
of a superior grade. 

Particular accounts of this excellent system had 
reached this country ; and the Trustees did not he- 
sitate to avail themselves of the advantages which 
it so peculiarly possessed. In carrying it into effect, 
they derived essential aid from one of their own bo- 
dy, who had seen it in full operation in England, 
and who was acquainted with its regulatioji^ from 
a personal communication with its author. A teach- 
er, who appeared well qualified for the under- 
taking, and who is still employed by the soci- 
ety, was found ; and under his superintendence a 
school was opened on the nineteenth of the fifth 
month, (May) 1B06, in a small apartment in Ban- 
ker-street. In a few days it contained forty-two 
scholars. This was the first establishment of the 
Lancasterian system of education in America: a 
system, which has since been extensively adopted, 
and which, it is hoped, will yet include, within the 
sphere of its operation, the whole indigent popu- 
lation of our country. 

One clause in the Act of Incorporation, which 
regulated the meetings of the Trustees, being pro- 
ductive of inconvenience, an act was passed by the 
Legislature on the second day of the fourth month, 
(April) 1806, providing that the Trustees might hold 
their monthly meetings on any day of the week they 



might deem convenient. It was therefore immedi- 
ately resolved, that their regular meetings should in 
future be held on the first sixth day (Friday) in 
every month. 

In the same month, Col. Henry Rutgers, with a 
liberality truly munificent, presented to the Society 
a lot of ground in Henry-street, for the purpose of 
erecting thereon a school-house to meet the wants 
of the indigent in that populous part of the city. 
He afterwards added an adjoining lot to this gene- 
rous donation ; and their united value was estima= 
ted at twenty-five hundred dollars. 

In the winter of 1806, the Trustees received from 
many charitable citizens contributions of cloth, stock* 
ings, shoes, and hats, which were so distributed among 
the children, as to make them all comfortable during 
the inclemency of the season. The benevolence of 
some individuals has enabled the Trustees to make 
further distributions of these articles at subsequent 
periods, but not to an extent commensurate with 
their wishes, or with the necessity of the case. 

In the first month, (January) 1807, the Trustees 
presented to the Legislature a memorial, containing 
a statement of what they had done, and soliciting 
pecuniary assistance to enable them to carry into 
further effect the benevolent objects of their associa- 
tion. This memorial met with a very favourable re- 
ception : and the Trustees had soon to congratulate 
the friends of humanity, on the passage of an Act, 
appropriating four thousand dollars towards build- 
ing a house, and one thousand to be paid annually 
towards defraying the expenses of the schooL 

B 



1§ 



This act was passed on the twenty-seventh of the 
second month, (February) 1807, and it was the more 
satisfactory, as it was understood, that this liberal 
appropriation was made unanimously in both houses. 

About the same time, the Trustees applied to the 
corporation of the city, for their assistance in this 
great work, which promised to be of incalculable 
benefit to the rising generation. A committee of 
that body visited the institution, and they soon after 
appropriated a building adjacent to the Alms-house 
for the temporary accommodation of the school, 
and the sum of five hundred dollars to assist in put- 
ing it in repair ; and the society agreed, on their 
part, to receive and educate fifty children belong- 
ing to the Alms-house. To this place the school 
was removed on the twenty-eighth of the fourth 
month, (April) 1807, and, before the close of the year, 
it consisted of one hundred and fifty scholars. 

In the year 1808, the Trustees had the pleasure of 
witnessing the growing utility of the institution, and 
the union of public and private exertions in their fa- 
vour. The charter of the society not being suffi- 
ciently comprehensive to embrace all classes of 
poor children, and desirous that the benefit of the 
establishment should not be confined in its applica- 
tion, they solicited and obtained from the Legisla- 
ture, an act, which was passed on the first of the 
fourth month, (April) 1808, ordaining that the corpo- 
ration should in future be denominated " The Free- 
School Society of New- York," and that its powers 
should extend to all children, who were the proper 
objects of a gratuitous education. 



u 



And the more effectually to provide for the fit- 
ture exigencies of the school, on an enlarged plan, 
the Trustees petitioned the Legislature, at the same 
session, for a liberal portion of the school-fund of 
the state, whenever it should be in readiness for dis- 
tribution. 

The tenement adjacent to the Alms-house could 
not accommodate more than two hundred and forty 
children ; this number was soon completed^ and nu- 
merous demands for admission continued to be made 
to the Trustees. 

A further application for assistance was there- 
fore made to the corporation in the autumn of 1808^ 
and that body, with a liberality worthy of those, 
who, as the constituted guardians of the city, were 
deeply interested in the right education of its youth, 
presented to the society an extensive lot of ground 
in Chatham-street, on which was an arsenal, on con- 
dition of their educating gratuitously the children 
of the Alms-house. The value of this lot and, 
the old building were estimated at ten thousand 
dollars. To this important donation, the corpora- 
tion afterwards added the sum of fifteen hun- 
dred dollars, to aid in preparing a new building for 
the reception of the school. 

The attention of the Trustees, in the year 1809, 
was principally occupied in the completion of the 
new building. A brick edifice was erected, one 
hundred and twenty feet in length, and forty feet in 
width, capable of commodiously accommodating in 
©ne room five hundred children. In the lower sto- 
ry there were apartments for the family of the 



w 



teacher, Ibr the meeting of the Trustees, and for 
another school, which would contain one hundred 
and fifty scholars. In the adoption of their plan 
the Trustees had economy constantly in view; 
but at the same time, they were desirous that 
the style of architecture, and the external ap- 
pearance of the building, should comport with the 
liberal patronage which the institution had received, 
and with the rank of our great and flourishing me- 
tropolis. Among the means of lessening the ex- 
pense of the establishment, they solicited and ob- 
tained, from several benevolent individuals, con- 
tributions of timber and other materials to the 
amount of one thousand dollars. They also nego- 
tiated with a master-mason and two carpenters, who 
generously superintended the work, and paid the la- 
bourers, without receiving themselves the customa- 
ry profit. In the erection and completion of this 
extensive building, the society expended above thir- 
teen thousand dollars. 

The following are the names of the persons, io 
whose benevolence the society was indebted for the 
superintendence of the work, and the contribution 
of building materials : 

Abraham Russell, Isaac Sharpies, William Til- 
ioriy Jones Sf Clinch, J. G. Pierson Sf Brothers, George 
Youle, John Youle, Whitehead Hicks, M. M, Ti- 
tus, Forman Cheesman, Richard Titus, John Rooke, 
Joseph Waikins, George Lindsay, B. W, Rogers, 
SC Co, Jonathan Dixon, Richard Speaight, J. Sher^ 
red, Abraham Bussing, Alexander Campbell, Dan- 
iel Beach, Wm, SC G, Post, P. Schermerhorn, Junr. 



13 



Joel Davis, l^homas Stevenson, Henri/ Hillman, 
Thomas Smyth, Eheneser Basket, John Mc. Kie, 
Peter Fenton, Wm. Wickham, Wm. Mc. Kenny, 

The School in this edifice was opened on the 
eleventh of the twelfth month, (December) 1809 ; 
and, on this interesting occasion, when the in- 
stitution had acquired a spacious and permanent 
habitation, the president of the society delivered 
to a numerous assemblage of its friends and be- 
nefactors, an address, delineating the origin and 
progress of the association, and expatiating on the 
benefits which might justly be expected to flow 
from the difiusion of knowledge among the great 
mass of the people. Every person present felt 
and acknowledged the interest of the scene. A 
building, dedicated to the gratuitous instruction 
of five hundred children, under the care of a 
single individual, was a spectacle, which had never 
before been exhibited on the American continent. 

At the request of the Trustees, the Legislature 
passed an act on the 24th of the third month, 
(March) 1810, directing that no person should 
hereafter become a member of the society, un- 
less he contributed the sum of fifty dollars, and 
that every member hereafter admitted should have 
the right to send one child to one of the schools 
of the society ; but that nothing in the act should 
be deemed to affect the rights of those, who were 
members of the society at the time of its passage^ 

It was also enacted, that at each first meeting 
of the Trustees after every annual election, it 
should be in their discretion to appoint, out ©f 



14 



the members of the society, an additional num- 
ber of Trustees, not ex:ceeding five. In the same 
act, tlie Legislature made a further liberal appro- 
priation of the sum of four thousand dollars, to 
aid the Trustees in the prosecution of their be- 
nevolent designs. 

The Trustees deeming it advisable to establish, 
without loss of time, another school on the ground 
presented to the society by Col. Henry Rutgers, 
it was determined, in the spring of 1810, tliat sub- 
scriptions should be opened in each ward of the 
city, for the purpose of enabling the Trustees 
to erect the contemplated building. The bene- 
volence of the citizens of New-York, great on 
all occasions, shone conspicuously on this. Al- 
though the Trustees had collected from their fel- 
low-citizens in former years the sum of seven 
thousand dollars, they obtained, on this occasion, 
the additional subscription of upwards of thir- 
teen thousand dollars. 

In the autumn of 1810, the Trustees were de- 
prived of the services of one of their ablest co- 
adjutors, by the death of their secretary, Benj. 
JD. Perkins. His labours in the cause of the so- 
ciety had been truly valuable ; and a record was 
entered on the minutes of the Trustees, expressive 
of their sense of the loss which they had sustained, 
and of their sincere respect and esteem for the 
memory of their fellow-labourer. 

On the second of the eleventh month, (November) 
1810, the corner-stone of the new building in Henry- 
street was laid bv the benevolent donor of the soil* 



15 



Iti the presence of several members of the coipora- 
tion of the city, and other respectable citizens. 

In the twelfth month, (December) 1810, one hun- 
dred dollars were appropriated to the purchase of 
suitable books, to commence a circulating library 
attached to the school, and additions to it were re- 
spectfully requested from the members of the so- 
ciety ; and in the same month, a legacy of two hun- 
dred and fifty dollars was benevolently bequeathed 
to the society by the late Charles Le Roux. 

The year 1811 was marked with the further ex- 
tension of public patronage and assistance. The 
Legislature, with a benevolence worthy of the fa- 
thers of the state, again testified their approbation 
of the institution, by the passage of an act, on the 
30th of the third month, (March) 1811, by granting 
to the society four thousand dollars, and the further 
annual sum of five hundred dollars, until the pleasure 
of the Legislature should otherwise determine. 

Two eligible positions for schools having now 
been obtained, it appeared to the Trustees that an 
additional school in the north-western part of the 
city, would enable them to extend with great benefit 
the sphere of their usefulness. Impressed with this 
sentiment, they presented a petition to the vestry of 
Trinity Church, in the spring of 1811, who prompt- 
ly and generously granted to the society two large 
lots of ground, at the corner of Hudson and Chris- 
topher-streets, near the village of Greenwich. The 
value of these lots was estimated at one thousand 
dollars. 

The building in Henry-street being completed, it 
was opened on the 13th of the eleventh month, (No- 



16 



vember) 1811, as school No. 2. It is eighty feet in 
length and forty in width, and will accommodate 
three hundred children ; and in the lower story is an 
apartment in which one hundred and fifty migKt also 
be admitted. The building is the same in appearance 
as the one in Chatham-street, possessing also accom- 
modations for the family of the teacher, and was 
completed at an expense of about eleven thousand 
dollars. 

In compliance with the request of the Trustees, 
an act was passed by the Legislature on the 28th 
of, the second month (February), 1812, directing that 
the society should hereafter elect six Trustees, in 
addition to those authorized by law. 

Every person, who wsa acquainted with these 
schools, was ready to express his satisfaction with 
the literary improvement of the children ; but there 
were some, who thought that sufficient care had not 
been bestowed in the communication of instruction 
specifically religious. A concern of such high im- 
portance had not, however, been overlooked by the 
Trustees; and they had pursued such measures in re- 
gard to it, as they considered to be most expedient. 
The board was composed of persons of almost eve* 
ry religious denomination ; men who were attached to 
their respective creeds, and who would not fail, on 
suitable occasions, to recommend an acquaintance 
with them. But, in these schools, they had studi- 
ously avoided the inculcation of the peculiar tenets 
of any religious society. From the commencement 
of the institution, they had directed that the Holy 
Scriptures should be read daily in the schools ; and 
it was thought, that the tender minds of the children 



17 



could not fail to be impressed with the sublime pr-e- 
cepts and the beautiful morality of these excellent 
Tolumes. To satisfy the wishes of every well-mean- 
ing person, it was however determined, that the schools 
should be suspended on the afternoon of every third 
day of the week (Tuesday), and that this time should 
be exclusively devoted to the religious instruction of 
the children. An association of more than fifty La- 
dies, of distinguished consideration in society, and be- 
longing to the different religious denominations in the 
city, volunteered their services in the work, and they 
accordingly meet at the schools to examine the chil- 
dren in their respective catechisms on the day appoint- 
^d for that purpose. The parents and guardians de* 
signated the denomination in whose tenets they wish- 
ed their children to be educated ; and it may not be 
uninteresting to state the number belonging to each, at 
the time when this measure was adopted. They were 
found to belong to the various religious societies as 
follows, and the numbers are not materially different 
at the present period, 

Presbyterians ----- 279 
Episcopalians - - ^ . - 205 
Baptists ------142 

Methodists 130 

Dutch Church ----- 33 
Roman Catholics - - - - 20 
Associate Reformed - - - 16 

Total 825 



18 



It was also deteimined, in relation to this subject, 
that the children should assemble at their respective 
schools on the morning of every Sunday, or first 
day of the week, and proceed under the care of a 
monitor, to the place of public worship to which 
they respectively belonged. 

The two schools will contain about eight hundred 
scholars. That number is generally complete ; and 
they are educated at an annual expense of about 
three dollars each. About four hundred children 
are admitted, and the same number discharged, 
every year. 

JNine years have now elapsed since the society 
commenced its labours, extending the blessings of 
education to the children of the indigent in this me- 
tropolis. Every succeeding year has afforded them 
the gratification of announcing to the public, 
the uniform advancement of the interests of the in- 
stitution, and of its great and rapidly-increasing 
utility ; and the Trustees have also had the satisfac- 
tion of seeing the benefits of the same system ex- 
tended, either in whole or in part, to several other 
schools in this city. The two rooms in the lower 
stories of the buildings in Chatham and Henry-streets, 
are occupied as female schools, and are under the 
care of an association of young women in profes- 
sion with the society of Friends, who teach in these 
apartments, with signal success, the elementary- 
parts of education and needle-work, on the Lancas- 
terian plan, to about three hundred poor children. 
The Orphan Asylum Society educate about ninety 
children, on the plan of this institution, at their 



19 



excellent establishment in the suburbs of the city. 
The Economical School in Anthony- stieet, whose 
principal object is the instruction of the children of 
the Refugees from the West-Indies, is also, with 
some modifications, conducted on this plan ; and the 
same system has been adopted in the school founded 
by the Manumission Society, for the education of 
people of colour, consisting of more than one hun- 
dred scholars. 

A school has been established in Albany under the 
patronage of the corporation of that city, and of 
several very respectable and benevolent citizens t 
and the association, which established it, have been 
incorporated by the name of the " Albany Lancas- 
ter Society." Several others have also been opened 
in different parts of the state. 

Deputations from the neighbouring states have 
visited the Free-Schools in this city, for the express 
purpose of examining their merits ; and the reports 
of these committees have been so favourable, that 
numerous schools, on this plan, have been esta- 
blished in various parts of our country. An asso- 
ciation of the citizens of Philadelphia, under the 
name of the " Adelphi Society," composed of mem- 
bers belonging to the society of Fiiends, have 
erected a handsome two-story brick building, se- 
venty-five feet in length, and thirty-five in 
breadth, which will contain, in its several apart- 
ments, about six hundred scholars. In other insti- 
tutions in Philadelphia, the same system has been 
adopted. A school has been opened in Baltiinore, 
and flourishes beyond expectation ; and at George- 



1% 



town, in the district of Columbia, a society has been 
formed, who have established a seminary on the 
same plan. 

In several towns in New-Jersey, and at Hart-- 
ford in Connecticut, very considerable progress has 
also been made in its introduction and establishment. 
Thus has this excellent system of instruction 
been carried, in the United States, to an extent, 
which it is impossible to contemplate without 
pleasure. The importance of communicating to 
all classes, a plain education at least, is now readily 
acknowledged in every part of the civilized world* 
And in no country is the extension of general 
instruction more expedient than in this, where 
men enjoy an equality of rights, and where the 
character of the government is formed by the 
virtue and intelligence of the people. In large and 
populous cities there are also additional reasons 
for cultivating and strengthening the public mind : 
for it is there, that the contagion of bad example 
more particularly exists; and there, is the com- 
mission of crimes encouraged by the superior 
chance of concealment. 

Liberal as the donations to this society have 
been, they are yet insufficient to enable the Trus- 
tees to erect a building on the lots in Christopher- 
street. A school in that quarter would give the 
society an opportunity of distributing more equally 
the advantages which it bestows ; and even then 
the w ants of the indigent would be far from being 
fully supplied. The Trustees, however, confidently 
rely, for future assistance, on the bounty of their 



21 



fellow-citizens, and of tlie constituted authorities; 
and they cherish the hope, that the period is not 
far distant, when every child in this extensive city 
will be furnished with that knowledge, which will 
fit him for the creditable performance of the pr? 
dinary concerns of life. 
Fifth month, (May) 1814. 



ACTS 

PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE, 

RELATIVE TO THE 

FREE-SCHOOL SOCIETY OF NEW-YORK. 

— — <?4'^'\^'^- — 

Jin Act to incorporate the society instituted in the city 
of New- York for the establishment of a Free-School, 
for the education of Poor Children, who do not be- 
long to, or are not provided for, by any religious 
society. Passed April 91h, 1805. 

Whereas D^ Witt Clinton and others have associa- 
ted themselves for the laudable purpose of establish- 
ing a Free-School in the city of New-York, for 
the education of the children of persons in indigent 
circumstances, and who do not belong to, or are 
not provided for, by any religious society; 

And whereas the said persons have presented a 
petition to the Legislature, setting forth the bene- 
fits which would result to society, from the educa- 
tion of such children, by implanting in their minds 
the principles of religion and morality, and by 
assisting their parents in providing suitable situa- 



23 



lions for them, where habits of industry and virtue 
may be acquired, and that it would enable them 
more effectually to accomplish the benevolent ob- 
jects of their institution if the association were in- 
corporated ; Therefore, 

1. Be it enacted by the people of the State of 
New- York, represented in Senate and Assembly, 
That De Witt Clinton, Samuel Osgood, Brockholst 
Livingston, John Murray, Jun. Jacob Morton^ 
Samuel Miller, Joseph Constant, Thomas Eddy, 
Thomas Pearsall, Robert Bowne, Matthew Clarkson, 
Archibald Gracie, John M'Yickar, Charles Wilkes, 
Henry Ten Brook, G. Aspinwall, Valentine Sea- 
man, William Johnson, William Coit, Matthew 
Franklin, Adrian Hegeman, Benj. G. Minturn, Leon- 
ard Bleecker, Thomas Franklin, Samuel Russell, 
Samuel Doughty, Alex. Robertson, Samuel Tor- 
be rt, John Withington, Wm. Edgar, George Turnbull, 
Daniel D. Tompkins, Wm. Boyd, Jacob Mott, Ben- 
jamin Egbert, Thomas Farmar, and Samuel L. Mitch- 
ill, and all such other persons as now are, and shall 
hereafter become, members of the said society, shall 
be, and are hereby ordained, constituted, and de- 
clared to be a Body Corporate and Politic, in fact 
and in name, by the name of " The Society for esta- 
blishing a Free-School in the city of New-York, for 
the education of such Poor Children as do not be- 
long to, or are not provided for, by any religious 
society ;" and by that name, they, and their succes- 
sors for ever hereafter, shall, and may have succes- 
sion, and by that name shall, and may be, persons 
in law, capable to sue and be sued, plead and be 



24 



impleaded, answer and be answered unto, defend 
and be defended, in all courts and places whatso- 
ever, in all manner of actions, suits, complaints, 
matters, and causes whatsoever ; and that they, and 
their successors, may have a common seal, and may 
change and alter the same at their pleasure; and 
they and their successors, by their said name, shall 
be for ever hereafter capable in law to purchase, 
take, receive, hold, and enjoy any estate, real or 
personal, whatsoever, of whatever nature or quali- 
ty soever, to the use of them and their successors. 

Provided always, that the yearly income of the 
real and personal estate and hereditaments held by 
the said corporation, doth not, nor shall at any 
time, exceed the sum of ten thousand dollars, and 
that they and their successors shall have full power 
and authority to lease such real estate and heredita- 
ment, on such terms as they shall judge most bene- 
ficial, and also to dispose of all such personal 
estate at their will and pleasure as shall appear to 
them most advantageous for the promoting the be- 
nevolent purposes of the said institution. 

2. And be it further enacted, That there shall be 
for ever hereafter thirteen Trustees of the said cor- 
poration, who shall conduct and manage all the af- 
fairs of the said corporation, and that the said Trus- 
tees shall be members of the said corporation, 
and actually residing in the city of New- York ; and 
the first Trustees of the said corporation shall 
be De Witt Clinton, Samuel Osgood, Brockholst 
Livingston, John Murray, Jun. Samuel Miller, 
Joseph Constant, Thonias Eddy, Thomas Pearsal), 



25 



Thomas Franklin, Matthew CI ark son, Leonard 
Bleecker, Samuel Russell, and William Edgar, who 
shall hold their offices until the first day of May 
next ; and the Trustees of the said corporation, for 
the time being, shall have power to establish two or 
more Free-Schools in the city of New- York, for the 
purposes aforesaid, whenever the members of the 
said corporation at any general meeting by a major- 
ity of them, shall judge it expedient, for the more 
fulJy extending the benefits of education to poor 
children, agreeably to the benevolent design of 
the said association. 

3. And for keeping up the succession in the 
said offices. Be it further enacted, That on the said 
first Monday of May next ensuing, and yearly, 
and every year, for ever thereafter, on the first 
Monday in May in every year, there shall be a 
general meeting of the members of the said cor- 
poration, who shall meet at some convenient place 
in the city of New- York, to be fixed by the by- 
laws of the said corporation, and there, by the ma- 
jority of such of them as shall so m^et, shall by 
ballot elect thirteen of their members to be Trustees 
of the said corporation for the year ensuing, of whom 
one shall be designated as President, one other as 
Vice-President, one other as Treasurer, and one other 
as Secretary, who shall immediately enter upon their 
said offices, and hold the same from the time of such 
election, for and during the space of one year, 
and until others shall be elected in their stead; 
and in case any of the said persons elected to be 
Trustees of the said corporation, or who shall here- 

D 



26 



after be elected thereto, shall die, or remove out 
of the city of New-York before the time of 
their appointed service expires; or shall- refuse 
or neglect to act in, and execute the said otfice, 
then and in every such case, the remaining Trus- 
tees of the said corporation shall, within thirty days 
theieafter, by ballot, elect another or others, 
of the members of the said corporation, in the 
stead of him or them dying or removing, refusing 
or neglecting to act ; and that such person or per- 
sons, as shall have the greatest number of votes, at 
every such election, shall hold their said offices 
from the time of such election, until the first Mon- 
day in May, then next ensuing, and until others 
shall be chosen in his or their stead. 

4. And be it further cnactcdy That the Trustees of 
the said corporation, shall regularly meet on the se- 
cond Monday in every month, and at such other 
times as they may judge proper and expedient, and 
that seven or more of the said Trustees so convened, 
shall for ever hereafter be a legal meeting of the 
said corporation, and that, at any and every such 
legal meeting, it shall be lawful for them, or a ma- 
jority of them, to make all such by-laws, rules, and 
regulations for the government and regulation of 
the said corporation and its affairs, and for the ma- 
nagement and disposal of the property and estate of 
the said corporation, as they may deem requisite to 
promote the design and intent of establishing this 
corporation ; and the same, or any part of them, to 
alter, amend, or repeal, from time to time, as they, 
av a major part of them, may think fit ; and shall 



27 



have powei*, whenever they may judge it necessa- 
ry, to call a general meeting of the members of the 
said corporation, wlio may adjourn from time to 
time as to them may seem proper. 

5. And be it further enacted. That at the first legal 
meeting of any seven, or more of the said Trustees, 
after the annual election of Trustees in May in 
every year, they, or a majority of them, so met, 
shall and may nominate and appoint one or more 
teachers or instructers, to take charge of the said 
school or schools, under the care and direction of 
the said corporation ; and also to appoint such other 
officers or servants, as they may think necessary ; and 
to allow, and fix their respective compensations ; and 
such teachers and instructers, officers, servants, or 
any of them, at their pleasure to dismiss and dis- 
charge, and another, or others, in their stead, to ap- 
point. 

6. And be it further enacted, That the Mayor, 
Recorder, Aldermen, and Assistants of the city 
of New- York, shall and may be, ex officio, mem- 
bers of the said corporation, and that any person, who 
shall subscribe and contribute, to the benefit of 
the said society, the sum of eight dollars, shall, 
by virtue of such contribution, be a member of 
the said corporation; and that any person, who 
shall subscribe and contribute, to the benefit of 
the said society, the sum of twenty-five dollars, 
shall thereby become a member of the said cor- 
poration, and shall be further entitled, and have 
the right, during tlie life of such contributor, to 
send one child to be educated at any school ua- 



28 



der the care and direction of the said corpora- 
tion ; or whoever shall contribute to the said society 
the sum of forty dollars, shall be a member thereof 
as aforesaid, and be entitled to send, during the 
life of such contributor, two children to any school 
under the care and direction of the said corpo- 
ration, subject however to such by-laws, rules, and 
regulations, as shall, and may be, prescribed by 
the said corporation. 

7. And be it Jnrther enacted, That it shall be 
the duty of the Trustees of the said corporation^ 
to report annually to the general meeting of the 
members of the said corporation, in May in each 
year, a particular account of the state of the school 
or schools, under tlieir care, and of the monies 
received and expended by them during the year, 
so as to exhibit a full and perfect statement of the 
property, funds, and affairs of the said corporation. 

8. And be it further enacted. That this act shall 

be, and hereby is, declared to be a public act, 

and shall be construed benignly and favourably 

for every beneficial purpose hereby intended ; nor 

shall any non-user of the privileges hereby granted 

to the said corporation, create or produce any 

forfeiture of the same. 

State of New- York, ) 
Secretary's office, y 

I certify the preceding to be a 
true copy of an act of the Legislature on the file in 
this office. 

Albany, April 25th, 1805. 

Arch. M'Intyer, 

Dep. Secretary. 



29 



An act to amend an acty entitled an act to incorpo* 
rate the society instituted in the city of New- York, 
for the establishment of a free-school^ for the tdvr 
cation of such poor children as do not belong 
to, or are not provided for, by any religious soci- 
ety. Passed April 2, 1806. 
Be it enacted by the people of the State of New- 
York, represented in senate and assembly, That the 
Trustees of the society, for establishing aFree-School 
in the city of New- York, for the education of such poor 
children, as do not belong to, or are not provided 
for, by any religious society, may hold their monthly 
meetings, directed by the act above recited, on any 
day of the week they may deem convenient, instead 
of holding such meetings on the second Monday in 
the month, as by the fourth section of the said act. 
they are at present required to do. 

State of New- York, ^ 
Secretary's office, y 

I certify that the preceding is a 
true copy of an act of the Legislature of this state, 
on file in this office. 
Albany, April 2, 1806. 

(Signed) 

Elisha Jenkins, 
Secretary, 
Mr. Clinton, from the committee to whom was re- 
ferred the petition of the Trustees of the society es- 
tablished in the city of New-York, for the education 
of such poor children as do not belong to, or are not 
provided for, by any religious society, reported as 
follows ; to wit : 



30 



I'hat by an act of ttie Legislature, passed tlie 
9Ui day of April, 1 805, a corporation was established 
in the city of New- York, by the name of " The So- 
ciety for establishing a Free-School in the City of 
New-York, for the education of such poor children 
as do not belong to, or are not provided for, by any 
religious society." That the said Trustees have, in 
pursuance of the powers vested in them, estab- 
lished a school consisting of sixty-seven poor 
children, on a plan which will educate five 
hundred with the facility that one-tenth part of that 
number are usually taught ; that it is confidently be- 
lieved, not only from the evidence derived from 
this experiment, but also from that of a very ex- 
tensive institution, consisting of one thousand scho- 
lars, established in London, that no mode hitherto 
adopted, so decidedly combines the two advanta- 
ges, of economy in expense, and rapidity in learning ; 
that the said Trustees have no other funds to pro- 
mote their benevolent objects, but such as are 
derived from private contributions ; and that for want 
of means to erect a suitable building, they are 
greatly embarrassed in the prosecution of their plan 
of education; that the ^Committee are of opinion, 
that until aid can be afforded from the fund allotted 
to common schools, it is highly expedient and pro- 
per for the Legislature to assist the said institution 
in some other shape ; that under this impression, the 
Conniiittee have prepared a bill, which they pray 
for leave to introduce, as follows ; 

An act for the encouragement of Free-Schools in 
the city of New-York, Passed 27th February, 1807. 



31 



Whereas the Trustees of the society, for establishr^ 
ing a Free-School in the city of New-York, for the 
education of such poor children as do not belong to> 
or are not provided for, by any religious society, 
have, by their memorial, solicited the aid of the Le" 
gislature ; and whereas their plan of extending the 
benefits of education to poor children, and the 
excellent mode of instruction adopted by them, are 
highly deserving of the encouragement of govern- 
ment. Therefore be it enacted by the people of the 
State of New-York, represented in senate and assem- 
bly, that out of the monies appropriated by the acts 
entitled " An act to lay a duty on strong liquors, 
and for regulating inns and taverns," to the payment 
of the contingent charges of the city of New- York, 
and which s,hall come into the treasury of the said 
city, after the first Tuesday of May next, there shall 
be paid to the Trustees of the said society, for the 
purpose of erecting a suitable building or buildings 
for the instruction of poor children, the sum of four 
thousand dollars, and every year hereafter, until the 
pleasure of the Legislature shall otherwise determine, 
there shall be paid to the said Trustees out of the pro- 
ceeds of the said fund the sum of one thousand dol- 
lars, for the purpose of promoting the benevolent ob- 
jects of the said corporation. 

April 1, 1808. 
Whereas the Trustees of the Society for establish- 
ing a Free-School in the city of New- York, for the 
education of such poor children as do not belong to, 
©r are not provided for, by any religious society, 



32 



have by their petition represented to the Legisla- 
ture, that the act incorporating that society re- 
strains them unnecessarily in the communication of 
the advantages of their establishment, by confining 
them to a certain description of poor children ; and 
have also petitioned for a competent portion of 
the school-fund applicable to the city of New-York, 
in order to be the better enabled to proceed in the 
execution of their important duties; and whereas 
the said fund does not as yet amount to a sum suffi- 
ciently large to render an immediate distribution 
advisable ; but as the Legislature are desirous of en- 
couraging an institution, so laudable and useful, 
by granting the petition of the said Trustees in 
other respects: Therefore, 

Be it enacted by the people of the state of New- 
York, represented in senate and assembly. That the 
name of the said corporation shall be, and hereby 
is, changed, and that it shall, in future, be de- 
nominated " The Free-School Society of New- 
York," and that its powers shall extend to all 
children, who are the proper objects of a gratuL 
tous education. 

An act respecting the Free-School Society of New- 
York. In compliance with a memorial of the Trus- 
tees of the Free-School Society of New-York, 

1. Be it enacted by the people of the state of New- 
York, represented in senate and assembly. That no 
person shall hereafter become a member of the said 
society, unless he shall contribute the sum of fifty 
dollars to the funds, and be elected by a majority 



33 



of the Trustees ; and that every member, hereafter 
admitted, shall have a right during his life to send 
one child to one of the schools of the said society. 
Provided that nothing herein contained, shall be 
deemed to affect the rights of the present members 
and benefactors of the said institution. 

2. And be it further enacted, That at each first 
meeting of the said Trustees, after every annual 
election of Trustees, it shall be in their discretion 
to appoint, out of the members of the said corpo- 
ration, an additional number of Trustees, not ex^ 
ceeding five. 

3. And be it further enacted. That out of the mo- 
nies appropriated by the act, entitled " An act to 
lay a duty on strong liquors, and for regulating 
Inns and Taverns," to the payment of the contingent 
charges of the city of New- York, and which shall 
be first received by the commissioner of excise, af- 
ter the first Tuesday of May next, there shall be 
paid by him to the said Trustees, the sum of four 
thousand dollars, for the purpose of erecting suita- 
ble accommodations for the instruction of poor chil- 
dren. Passed the senate March 3, 1810. Passed 
the assembly March 24, 1810. 



An act for the further encouragement of Free-Schools 
in the city of New- York. Passed March 30, 1811. 

AVhereas the Trustees of the " Free-School Soci- 
ety of New- York," have, by their memorial, soli- 
cited the aid of the Legislature in extending the 
benefits of their institution ; therefore, 

E 



34 



1. Be it enacted hy the people of the state of New- 
York, represented in senate and assembly. That 
out of the monies appropriated by the act, entitled 
"An act to lay a duty on strong liquors, and for 
regulating Inns and Taverns," to the payment of the 
contingent charges of the city of New-York, and 
which shall come into the treasury of the said city 
after the first Tuesday of May next, there shall 
be paid to the said Trustees the sum of four thou- 
sand dollars for the purpose of erecting another 
building for the instruction of poor children, and 
every year hereafter, until the pleasure of the Le- 
gislature shall otherwise determine, there shall be 
paid to the said Trustees, out of the proceeds of the 
said fund, in addition to the annual sums heretofore 
granted, the sum of five hundred dollars, for the 
purpose of promoting the benevolent objects of the 
said corporation. 

2. And he it further enacted. That no misnomer of 
the said corporation in any deed, will, testament, 
gift, grant, demise, or other instrument of con- 
tract or conveyance, shall vitiate or defeat the same, 
provided the corporation shall be sufficiently de- 
scribed to ascertain the intention of the parties. 

State of New- York, ) 
Secretary's office. 5 

I certify the preceding to be a 
true copy of an original act of the Legislature of 
this state, now on file in this office, at the city of Al- 
bany, the 4th day of April, 1811. 

Anthony Lamb, 

Dep. Secretary , 



35 



An act to provide for the election of an additional 
number of Trustees in the Free-School Society of New- 
York, and for other purposes. Passed February 
28, 1812. 

In" compliance with the request of the Trustees 
for the Free-School Society of New- York, 

Be it enacted hy the people of the state of New- 
York, represented in senate and assembly, That it 
shall and may be lawful for the members of " The 
Free-School Society of New- York," to elect for ever 
hereafter, at every annual election of Trustees, six 
Trustees in addition to those heretofore authorized 
by law. 

State of New- York, > 

Secretary's office. 5 

I certify that the preceding is 
a true extract from an original act of the Legislature 
of this state, on file in this office. 
Albany, March 30, 1812. 

Anthony Lamb, 

Dep. Secretary^ 



BY-LAWS 



THE GOVERNMENT OF THE TRUSTEES. 

— -ww^*- — 

I. 

Be it ordained by Ihc Trustees of*' The Free-School 
Society of Neiv-Yorky" That every election of the 
Trustees of the said society shall be held at the 
Trustees' room in Chatham-street, on the first Mon- 
day in the fifth month, (May) in each year, and 
shall begin at 10 o'clock, and close at 12 o'clock 
of the same day. 

II. 

The secretary of the said society, for the time 
being, shall give at least three days public notice 
in two of the newspapers printed in the city of 
JVew-York, of every such election, and of the time 
and place the same is to be held. 

III. 

Every such election shall be held under the in- 
spection of three of the Trustees of the said soci- 
ety, to be appointed by the said Trustees for that 
purpose; and the secretary of the society shall 
k:eep a poll-list at every such election, under the 
direction and view of the said inspectors ; and they, 
or a major part of Ihein, shall preside at such elec- 
tion, and conduct and direct the same in the man- 
ner herein prescribed. 



37 



IV. 

At every such election, there shall be elected 
nineteen Trustees to manage the concerns of the 
said society ; and at the first meeting of the said 
Trustees after such annual election, it shall be in 
their discretion to appoint, out of the members of 
the said society, an additional number of Trustees, 
tiot exceeding five. 

V. 
Every member of the said society, qualified to 
vote for Trustees, shall at such election deliver his 
ballot to one of the inspectors, which ballot shall 
be a paper-ticket, containing the names of as ma- 
ny persons for Trustees as are then to be chosen ; 
or so many of them as such elector shall think 
proper to vote for, severally written on such paper- 
ticket, and designating four of them as votes for 
President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secre- 
tary; and the inspectors shall cause the name of 
the elector to be written down in the poll-list by 
the Secretary, and shall cause the ballot, without 
suffering the same to be inspected, to be deposited 
fn a box, to be provided for that purpose. 

VI. 
The said inspectors, or a majority of them, as 
soon as the poll is closed, shall proceed to canvass 
and estimate the said votes; and shall thereupon 
make and sign a certificate, under their hands and 
seals, who are the persons so elected as Trustees of 
the said society for the ensuing year ; and shall de- 
liver the same to the secretary, to be entered by 
him in the records of the said society, and who 



38 



shall forthwith give notice to the persons so elected 
as Trustees. 

VII. 

The three IVustees appointed inspectors at the 
annual election of Trustees, shall prepare the annu- 
al report of the Trustees, to be made to the 
general meeting of the members of the society, pur- 
suant to the seventh section of the act for incorpora- 
tmg the said society ; and shall, previous to such 
general meeting of the members, lay the same before 
the IVustees, to be approved and signed by them, or 
a major part of them. 

VIIT. 
The President for the time being, or in his absence, 
the Vice-President, or in the absence of both of them, 
one of the Trustees, to be nominated and chosen as 
President pro tempore, shall preside at all meetings 
of the said society, and at all meetings of the Trustees 
shall regulate all debate, and preserve order and de- 
corum ; and in case an equal nuujber of votes shall 
be given on the affirmative and negative of any ques- 
tion, the person so presiding shall have a casting 
vote. TJie President also, or in his absence, the 
l^ice-President, shall call a special meeting of all 
the members of the said society, when five 
Trustees of the said society shall request it ; and 
shall call a special meeting of the Trustees, when he 
shall think it necessary. 

IX. 
The secretary of the said society shall have the 
custody of the by-laws, records, books, and papers 
of the society : he shall, under the direction of the 



39 



President, give due notice of the time and place 
of all meetings of the Trustees, or of the members of 
the society, and shall attend the same : he shall 
keep fair and accurate minutes of all the proceedings 
of the Trustees, and of the society ; and in case of his 
sickness or necessary absence, his duties shall be per- 
formed by the treasurer, or such other person as may 
be appointed for the time being. 

X. 

The treasurer, when he enters upon the duties of 
his office, shall give a bond for the faithful perform- 
ance of the trust reposed in him, to the society, 
in such sum, and with such security, as the Trustees, 
or a majority of them, may from time to time require. 
He shall receive and keep in trust all sums of money 
due and payable, and all donations or bequests of 
money made to the said society ; and the deeds and 
evidences of all real or personal property given or 
bequeathed to the said society: he shall pay all such 
sums of money as the Trustees may authorize, he 
shall keep a true and faithful account of all monies 
received and paid by him, and once a year, or often- 
er, whenever thereunto required by the Trustees, 
shall render a particular and correct statement of 
the same to the Trustees, who shall appoint two of 
theii' number to examine and audit his accounts. 

XI. 

The regular monthly meeting of the Trustees shall 
be on the first sixth day, (Friday,) in every month, 
at the Trustees' room in Chatham-street, at 4 o'clock 
in the afternoon. 



40 



XII. 

The Trustees, who, from sickness or other causes, 
are iinal)le to attend their meetings, shall communi- 
cate to the meeting, either in writing or otherwise, 
an excuse for tlieir absence. 

XIII. 

Candidates for admission into the Free-School So- 
ciety of INew-York, may be proposed and bal- 
loted for at the same meeting of the Trustees in 
which they are proposed, unless one of the Trustees 
shall request the balloting to be postponed until the 
next meeting, in which case it shall be postponed ac- 
Goixlingly. , 

XIV. 

There shall be a committee appointed by the 
Trustees out of their number, to have the manage- 
ment of the various concerns of the schools during 
the recess of the board, whose duties are particular- 
ly pointed out in the rules for the government of the 
school committees. 

XV, 

At the first meeting of the Trustees after the an- 
nual election in the fifth month, (May) in every 
year, they shall appoint teachers to take charge of 
the schools under the care of this society; and 
shall also appoint the several committees which may 
be necessary to manage the concerns of the institu- 
tion. 

XVI. 

Seven or more of the Trustees shall constitute a 
legal meeting of the board. 



RULES 



GOVERNMENT OF THE SCHOOLS. 

— — <^<^(^— — 

L 

The school hours shall be from 9 to 12 o^clock 
in the forenoon, and from 2 to 5 o'clock in the af* 
ternoon. 

IT. 

A punctual and regular attendance of the chil- 
dren being of the first importance, the teachers are 
requested to enjoin it upon them as an indispensable 
duty. AVhen a child has been absent from the school, 
the teachers are to ascertain the cause. Should any 
be repeatedly absent without assigning a sufficient 
reason, the teachers are desired to notify in wri- 
ting those who may have the care of such children, 
and if no amendment then take place, they are to 
report ihe case to the school committees. 

III. 

As cleanliness not only promotes the comfort, 
but the health of the children, it shall be the duty 
of the teachers to take notice of every neglect in 

F 



42 



this particular, and to use such means as they may 
deem best calculated to ensure an attention to it. 

IV. 

As the mode of instruction adopted by this insti- 
tution renders the appointment of monitors necessa- 
ry, the teachers are requested to select none for 
that station, but those who are distinguished for 
their exemplary deportment and attention to their 
studies. The monitors are to hold their offices 
only during good behaviour. The children are or- 
dered to respect and obey them. 

V. 

To encourage and stimulate the monitors to a 
faithful performance of their duties, the teachers 
shall be directed to distribute to them weekly tick- 
ets of approbation, if their conduct has rendered 
them worthy of it. The monitors shall wait on the 
school committees at the end of every three weeks, 
and exhibit the ticket or tickets they have earned. 
On such exhibitions the school committees shall dis- 
tribute the following rewards ; to each monitor pro- 
ducing one ticket of approbation in the course of 
three weeks, three cents: to each monitor produ- 
cing two tickets for the same space of time, seven 
cents : and to every one holding three tickets, one 
shilling. 

VI. 

When any child, during his stay in the school, has 
behaved in such a manner as to merit the approba- 
tion of the Trustees, he shall be furnished, on his 
leaving the school, with a certificate expressive of 
such approbation. 



4 



43 



VII. 

The Trustees being impressed with a belief, that 
important advantages will result to the children of 
this institution, from a due observance of the sab- 
bath, or first day of the week, direct, that all the 
scholars be ordered to attend on the morning of that 
day, at the school to which they may belong, 
and that they there be divided into classes, and 
proceed under the charge of a monitor, to such 
places of public worship, as may be designated by 
their parents or guardians. 

VIII. 

The monitors shall be responsible for the attend- 
ance of their respective classes at the place of 
public worship to which they may belong : and shall, 
on the following day, report the delinquents, if any, 
to the teachers, who shall report the same to the 
school committees. 

IX. 

In the future admission of children to either of 
the schools, it shall be made an indispensable con- 
dition, that the regulations with respect to the at- 
tendance of public worship, shall be strictly assent- 
ed to on the part of the applicant. 

X. 

The afternoon of the third day in each week, 
(Tuesday) shall be appropriated to the instruction 
of the children at their respective schools, in the 
principles of the Christian religion; and in order 
that they may be educated in the peculiar tenets of 
the denominations to which they respectively be- 
long, the several churches, with which they are 



44 



connected, shall be respectfully invited to send 
suitable persons to catechise, and otherwise so to 
instruct them. 

XL 
A portion of the scriptures shall be read in each 
of the schools by the first class twice a day, at the 
opening in the morning, and at the close in the 
evening. 



DUTIES OF THE TEACHERS 



I. 

It shall be the duty of the teacher in every 
school, under the care of the Free-School Society 
of New-York, with the assistance of his monitors, 
to keep a book, in which he shall enter, in alpha- 
betical order, the name of each child admitted into 
the school ; and opposite the name of each child, 
he shall insert, in distinct columns, marked for that 
purpose, the time when such child was admitted 
and discharged, and the time when he or she was 
advanced in any of the different branches of learn= 
ing taught in these schools. He shall immediately 
make due entry of all the children now in school, 
specifying, in the proper columns, the present state 
of their learning ; and shall carefully note the de- 
gree of learning possessed by those hereafter ad- 
mitted, at the time of their admissi(»n. And he shall 
make a report in writing to the Trustees once in 
three months, namely, at their stated meetings, in 
July, October, January, and April, of the number 



4t> 



ece-« 



of children admitted and discharged in the pr 
ding three months, and also of the number who have 
been advanced in each of the branches of tuition 
mentioned in such literary register. 

II. 

Every teacher shall also keep in another book, 
prepared for that purpose, an alphabetical list of all 
the children belonging to the school under his care, 
their age, place of residence, native place, what 
parents, parents' occupation, by whom recommend- 
ed, when admitted, when discharged, their general 
character, and finally their destination, when this 
can be ascertained. 

III. 

The teachers shall pay particular attention to the 
regulations prescribed under the head of rules for 
the government of the schools. 

IV. 

The teacher of school No. 1, shall assist the se- 
cretary in recording the minutes of the proceedings 
of the society, and of the Trustees. 

V. 

Every teacher shall make a return weekly to the 
school committee of No. 1, of the number of chil- 
dren in the school under his care, and of the num- 
ber admitted and discharged in the preceding 
week. 



RULES 



THE GOVERNMENT OF THE SCHOOIu 
COMMITTEES. 



I. 

There shall be appointed to each school, under 
the care of this society, a school committee, to con- 
sist of three Trustees, who shall have the chief over- 
sight and management of the schools, during the re- 
cess of the board. 

II. 

One member shall be appointed at each regular 
meeting of the Trustees, to serve on each of these 
committees, the oldest in service retiring from it. 
Each member of the committees will thus have ser- 
ved three months ; and the Trustees shall be appoint- 
ed to this service in alphabetical order. 

III. 

Applications for the admission of children into 
any of the schools shall be made to the school com- 
mittee of school No. 1, who shall meet for that pur- 
pose every second day of the week, (Monday) from 
3 to 5 o'clock in the afternoon, at the Trustee?' 
room in Chatham-street. 



4B 



IV. 

The school committee of No. 1, shall keep a book, 
containing an alphabetical list of all the members of 
this society, designating those who have the right 
to recommend children, and those who have the pri- 
vilege of voting only : this book should also specify 
whether the member possessing the right to recom- 
mend a child, has availed himself of his right ; and if 
so, the name of the child. It should also specify the 
donations or subscriptions received. 

V. 

When application is made for the admission of a 
child, particular inquiry should be made into the 
circumstances of the applicant, so that none be ad- 
mitted, who are not the proper objects of a gratuitous 
education. The school committee may admit, in 
their discretion, such children as they may think pro- 
per, without reference to the subscribers; but a prefer- 
ence must be given to thase who are recommended 
by the members of the society, possessing that right. 

VI. 

The school committee of No. 1, shall also meet 
at the school every fifth day, (Thursday) afternoon, 
from 3 to 5 o'clock, for the purpose of inspecting the 
school, and examining the children in their learning. 

VII. 

The school committee of No. 2, shall meet every 
fourth day, (Wednesday) afternoon, from 3 to 5 
o'clock, at the school under their care, for the pur- 
pose of examining the children in the differei^jt 
branches of their learning. 



49 



viir. 

Each of the school committees shall keep a book 
of minutes, in which they shall note their own at- 
tendance, and enter all such transactions as they 
may consider of sufficient importance to be record- 
ed. The minutes of their proceedings shall be pro- 
duced and read before the Trustees at their regu- 
lar meetings for their approbation. 

IX. 

It shall be the duty of the school committees to 
assist parents in obtaining suitable places for their 
children, w^ien they shall be discharged from the 
school ; and all applications on the part of the pub- 
lic for such children shall be made to either of the 
school committees. 

X. 

The funds of the society cannot, in any case, be 
appropriated for the clothing of the children. 

XI. 

Children may be admitted on the recommenda= 
tion of all subscribers of fifty dollars, even before 
such subscribers have been balloted for by the 
Trustees. 



G 



A SKETCH 

OP 

THE METHOD OF EDUCATION 

EMPLOYED 

BY JOSEPH LANCASTER, IN LONDON I 

AND ADOPTED BY 

THE FREE-SCHOOL SOCIETY OF NEW-YORK. 
METHOD OF TEACHING THE ALPHABET. 

The children are taught the letters by printing 
them in sand. 

A table, suitable for the purpose, constructed as 
follows, must be provided. 



B 



A represents the part where the sand is to be 
placed, and is an horizontal surface, about fifteen 
feet long, and six inches wide ; this should be stain- 
ed with black ink, in order to show the letters ; and 
to preserve the sand from wasting, ledges about an 
inch high are nailed round this part of the table : 
the sand must be dry ; and the instrument for 
smoothing it, should be a piece of sole-leather, 
the width of the sand surface, on which are cut 



61 



three small notches ; these rule lines, and are intend- 
ed to keep the letters of equal height on the board: 
and B represents the space, a little declining down- 
wards for the arm to rest on. 

Ten children can be accommodated at this table ; 
each scholar has a stick given to him about the 
thickness of a quill, and four inches long, with 
which he is to write the letters on the sand. The al- 
phabet is divided into three parts, as follows, viz. 
the perpendicular letters, I H T L E F, i and 1, 
form the first lesson ; the triangular letters, A V W 
MNZKYX, vwk yz and x, form the second ; 
and the circular letters, OUCJGDPBRaS, 
aobdpqgc mnhtursfj, form the third : these 
are in succession placed before the class, which is 
under the direction of a monitor, who, with an audi- 
ble voice, desires them to form the first letter ; each 
scholar now makes his best effort, which, perhaps, 
is a very awkward one ; but the monitor pointing out 
the defects, and occasionally printing the letter for 
them, teaches them to retrace it: after repeated 
trials upon the same letter, the class is soon able 
to form it readily, and with neatness. The next 
letters of the lesson are in succession placed before 
them, and are taught in the same manner. It may 
be necessary to observe, that on no account what-= 
ever must the pupil pass on to another letter, until 
he is able to print the first with neatness. In being 
thus exercised in forming the letters, the pupil will 
in a short time know them ; and he is not onl} en- 
abled to print his letters, but also learns them sooner 
than in llie usual mode of teachinsT- 



52 



If the class is continual in its application to form- 
ing letters on the sand, it will be found that the em- 
ployment will be insipid and burdensome ; it should 
therefore be varied by having the class several times 
a day called from their seats, and formed into a cir- 
cle round a lesson, which is printed in large letters, 
and suspended by a nail to the wall, in such a man- 
ner that the whole class can view it. The monitor 
then points to the first letter, and asks aloud. What 
letter is that? The boy, at the head of the class> 
answers first ; when, if he should make a mistake, 
the question is put to the second boy, and so on un- 
til some one in the class answers aright; in which 
case the boy takes precedency in the class. This 
exercise soon perfects them in the knowledge of 
their letters, and is also a pleasing relaxation. 



SYLLABIC SPELLING AND READING. 

The children having learned their letters, are re- 
moved to a higher class by the inspecting monitorj 
and are taught to spell and read monosyllables* 
The office of inspecting monitor is very essen- 
tial ; being his business to examine, and report the 
proficiency of the scholars to the master, who gives 
them small prizes : they are then paraded round the 
school, preceded by a monitor, who proclaims 
aloud, " these good boys have received prizes for 
their good behaviour, and attention to their studies, 
and are to be removed to anotlier class." This has 
a pleasing effect in the school, and is an excitement 
to general perseverance. The office of inspecting 



53 



monitor is extended to all the succeeding classes. 
The first lesson of syllabic reading should be an 
easy one, and not more than four or five words. 
This class is also taught to write their words on the 
sand, as required by the first class ; the monitor and 
the class being furnished in the same manner. They 
are desired by the monitor to make two letters, 
b — a, who teaches them that b — a spells ba, after 
this, d — a is given them, and the monitor teaches 
them as before, and so on in succession. The moni- 
tor should observe the same rule here as before, 
that one thing be done well, before another is un- 
dertaken. 

We have thus seen the class engaged in learning 
their letters, and at the same time printing them 
neatly in the sand. We have seen them go through 
their exercises of spelling by printing the words as 
they were spelled aloud by the monitor; the class 
being now so far perfected in their first spelling les- 
son, that they not only can print the words in the 
sand, but they can also spell them from memory, 
one after another, as the monitor gives them out. 
The next point to be gained is the reading of them. 
This however is no ditficult task : the scholars hav- 
ing frequently seen the words printed in the sand 
before them, they have become already so familiar, 
that they have only to see the word, and they can 
generally pronounce with certainty what word it 
is. The monitor frequently calls out his class, and 
forms it into a circle round the reading lesson> 
when they are exercised, as noticed before. The 



54 



first lesson may now be considered as learned : for 
the children in the class can not only print the words 
with neatness, but they can spell them, and they 
can read them. 

The second lesson contains an equal number of 
words, and is tauc^ht in the same manner. As the 
class progresses, the lesson may be increased to ten 
or twelve words, and so on to even twenty, without 
requiring any more time. 

In this way the class should be conducted through 
the monosyllables. They should be able to print 
and spell every word before they attempt to read 
them; and should never enter upon a new lesson, 
until the preceding one has been read with correct- 
ness and ease. 

WRITING AND SPELLING ON SLATES 

The class is now qualified to enter on words of 
two syllables ; these are not taught at the sand 
table as heretofore, but are removed to desks inlaid 
with slates, where each scholar has a pencil, and is 
taught to write, first a straight stroke, secondly the 
component parts of letters, thirdly, the lettersand their 
combinations. The slates are to be ruled with a sharp- 
pointed instrument : their copy is written by the mon- 
itor, or with chalk on a black board, and hung up in 
view. The children should be carefully taught to hold 
their pencils, as though they were writing with a pen 
on paper. The class should be daily exercised in 
spelling and reading; they should be called up by the 
monitor, at least twice in the morning and twice in 



55 



the afternoon. After they have gone once through 
their lesson, they resume their task. 

All the spelling lessons heretofore learned were 
monosyllables, and they were learned by printing 
them in sand ; but words of two or more syllables 
are to be learned by writing them on slates. And 
as they have acquired a knowledge of the written 
alphabet, the shape and proportion of the letters, 
and the proper mode of joining them together, the 
monitor again resumes his business of spelling his 
class. His duty becomes more arduous than before ; 
for he is not only required to inspect the words as 
they are written, to detect errors in spelling, but 
constant attention must be given to the manner of 
holding the pencil. Being in readiness to proceed, 
the first lesson, (containing about ten words) is giv- 
en to the class in an audible voice by the monitor 
word after word : the fiist time they are given out, 
they should be spelled by the monitor, but the se- 
cond time the words should only be pronounced, and 
written down from memory. The class is then ex- 
ercised in spelling the words they have written, 
first in the book, and then out of book ; and also 
to read the lesson, suitable to the words they have 
written. 

After they have become proficient in the first les- 
son, the second is given, and is to be learned in the 
same manner ; and in this way they go regularly 
through the spelling-book. AVhile the children are 
too young, or too inexperienced to be taught arith- 
metic, their spelling, reading, and writing should 
continue without any intermission ; but those who are 



56 



further advanced, and are learning arithmetic, spell 
only three or four lessons in the course of a day. 



READING. 



The pupils having become expert syllabic readers, 
and acquainted with an extensive knowledge of words, 
so as to pronounce them with propriety, are permit- 
ted to read in the testament, the introduction to the 
English Reader, &c— So that little more remains to 
be done than frequent exercise, at least twice a day, 
and to imitate a good example. 



WRITING 

Writing on the slate, in connexion with spelling, 
has -already been described ; but writing, independ- 
ently of that exercise, is also taught in the following 
manner. Copper-plate copies are placed before them, 
and they write the copy on the slate. The monitor 
fjequently passes and repasses along his class, teaches 
the manner of holding the pencil, points out the 
faults he can discover, and sometimes, by making a 
letter, or writing a word, teaches the shape and pro- 
portion of the letters in the copy before them. Suf- 
ficient time having been devoted to writing, the 
monitor removes the copies, and the class resume 
their other studies. 

The degree of perfection to which boys will attain 
by writing on the slate, without ever having a 
pen in their hands, is very considerable ; but as the 
use of the pen is also to be acquired by practice, this 



57 



part of their education must not be neglected; and 
twice in the course of the week, a few lines written 
in a copy-book, are deemed expedient. 



ARITHMETIC. 

The new method of teaching the simple rules of 
arithmetic in classes, has also been found very expe- 
ditious. In the first place, the figures may be taught, 
like the written alphabet, from a copy on the black 
board. The numeration table may also readily be 
taught in the same way ; and when the addition table 
is well understood, the class may be instructed in 
the following manner ; the monitor holds a book in his 
hand, which contains the whole work, and the answer 
of every example that he teaches. A few sums may 
be two or three figures only ; and when they begin 
to understand the art of addition, they may be en- 
larged to several columns, as in the following 



example : 



4 3 2 7 

2 5 3 6 
4 6 7 5 

3 5 2 4 

Total 15 6 2 



In this example the monitor reads aloud from his 
book the first number, four thousand three hundred 
and twenty seven, which every boy sets down in 

H 



o8 



figures on his slate. This being inspected by the 
monitor, as he passes along the class, and found to 
be right, be gives out the next number, 2536, which 
the scholars place as directed, under the first num- 
ber, and with units under units, tens under tens, &c. 
Then the following numbers, which they place as 
before. The monitor then proceeds to add up the 
first column in an audible voice, saying 4 and 5 are 
9, and 6 are 15, and 7 are 22, put down 2 and car- 
ry 2 to the next column. All in the class place the 
2 under the first column. The monitor then pro- 
ceeds, as before, to the other columns; and as he 
passes along the class, sees that every boy has placed 
the sum total as directed; he knows too that the 
work is correct by the key that he holds in his hand. 
This operation is repeated until the pupils have giv- 
en sufficient proof that they understand the whole 
process. 

Another method of teaching the simple rules of 
arithmetic, and one which should be frequently re- 
sorted to, is in the use of the black board. The 
class having written the sum on their slates, and at- 
tended to casting it up, are now called up by the 
monitor to exercise in that manner. The same sum 
is written with chalk on the board, large enough to 
be seen by the whole class. The monitor points to 
the first column, when the head boy adds aloud 4 
and five are 9, and 6 are 15, and 7 are 22, put 
down 2 and carry two to the next. The monitor 
stands by the board with a piece of chalk, sets down 
the several products, as ihey are found by the boys, 
who add the columns in their turns, and a new ex- 



59 



ample is given, when the first is well understood. 
When a boy in adding makes a mistake, the next, oj 
any boy in the class, who discovers it, should take 
precedency of him. This excites attention and lau- 
dable ambition. 

This account of the method of teaching addition, 
will be sufficient in arithmetic : as the same princi- 
ple is applicable to all the other rules, and may 
with superior advantages, be adopted by every 
teacher. 

Many children enter upon the study of arithme- 
tic under great disadvantages, for want of a know- 
ledge of the tables . This should never be the case : 
w^hen they meet with difficulties, they feel discoura- 
ged, and from this cause the labour of teachers be- 
comes very much increased. 



DONATION!^ 



FREE SCHOOL SOCIETY OF NEW-YORK. 



-^V^'^- 



In a list of donations, so extensive as the following, it is possible 
that some inaccuracies, in stating the amount of individual subscripr- 
lions, may have occurred, which have escaped the notice of the 
Trustees: if this should be found to be the case, or if the name of 
any subscriber has been omitted, the Trustees will endeavour to 
exhibit a more perfect account in a future publication. 

Dolls. 



From the Legislature of 

the state, in 1807 
From ditto, in 1810 
From ditto, in 1811 
From the corporation of 

the city, in 1807 
From ditto, in 1809 
From ditto, lot of ground 
and an old building in 
Chatham-street, valued 
at 



4000 
4000 
4000 

500 
1500 



10,000 



From Colonel Henry Rut- 
gers, two lots of ground 
in Henry-street, valued 
at 

From the Vestry of Tri- 
nity Church, two lots 
of ground in Chris- 
topher-street, valued 
at 

From Charles Le Roux, 
a legacy 



DoOi 



2,50» 



1,000 



250 



61 



Dolls. 

A 

From William Adamson 100 

John Jacob Astor 50 

John Adams 50 

James Arden 50 

G. B. & 1. Abeel 30 

Gilbert Aspinwall 25 

John Aspinwall 25 

William Ash 25 

Robert Abbatt, Jun. 25 

Nehemiah Allen 25 

Andrew Alexander 20 

William Allen 10 

David Auchinvole 10 

B 

Ann A. Bancker 100 

Samuel Boyd 100 

Walter Bowne 75 

Cornelius Du Bois 75 

William Bayard 75 

Divie Bethune 50 

Robert Bowne 50 

Adam Brown 50 

Theodoras Bailey 50 

William Bailey 50 

George Buchanan 50 

Thomas Buchanan 50 

Thomas C. Butler 50 

John L. Broome 50 

Robert Bogardus 50 

Noah Brown 50 

Priscilla Barker 50 
Samuel Borrowe, Jun. 50 

Elizabeth Bowne 50 

Henry Brevoort 50 

Robert H. Bowne 45 

Thomas Buckley 40 

Peleg Brown 25 

Nicholas B. Brower 25 





Dom. 


From Abraham Barker 


25 


Jacob Barker 


25 


James Bogert 


25 


Samuel Burling 


25 


Ebenezer Bassett 


25 


Abraham Bussing 


25 


Daniel Beach 


25 


Samuel Borrow^e 


25 


I. E. Birch 


25 


Leonard Bleecker 


25 


John L. Bowne 


25 


J. G. Bogert 


25 


C. I. Bogert 


25 


Thomas Burling 


25 


William S. Burling 


25 


Jonathan Burrall 


25 


Benjamin Bakeweli 


25 


Benjamin Bailey 


25 



Abraham Brinckerhoff 26 

Abraham Bel! 25 

Charles Buck 25 

Charles Brown 20 

Christian Bergh 20 

James Boggs 20 

John Broome 20 

Matthias B. Bruen 20 

S. V. Bayard 20 

George Buckmaster 15 
William Bradford, Jun. 10 

G. Baldwin 10 

E. Burrill 10 

I. Boorman 10 

James Buckley 8 

Dr. Boyd 5 

Henry S. Brookes 5 

James Bruen 5 

Robert Bird 5 

C 

De Witt Clinton 200 



©2 



Dolh 

From aiary M'Crea 200 

Daniel M'Cormick 75 

Catharine R. ftl'Crea 50 

Henry A. Coster 50 

John G. Coster 50 

Oliver Coles 5o 

John B. Coles 50 

William Codman 50 

Samuel Corp 50 

Lynde Catlin 50 
Cadwallader D. Colden 50 

I. C. Clement 50 

Thomas S. Clarkson 50 

Peter Curtenius 50 | 

William Craig 50 
Gloriana Cunningham 50 

Hugh M'Cormick 50 

Abigail Corse 5o 

John E. Caldwell 50 

E. Crary .50 

William B. Crosby So 

Thomas Cadle 50 

Isaac Carow 50 

James L. Cornell 50 ] 

John T. Champlin 50 

Thomas Collins 40 

Richard Cunningham 40 

John Craig 40 

Benjamin Clark 25 

John Clark 25 

John JM'Comb 25 

John Clark, Jun. 25 

Matthew Clarkson 25 

Samuel Campbell 25 

William Clapp 25 

B. P. Cruger 25 

B. S. Collins 25 

William Collins 25 

Isaac Collins, Jun. 25 



Dolh 

From James Concklin 25 

R. C. Cornell 25 

William Cairns 25 

Cornelius Cadle 25 

Francis Cooper 25 

Israel Corse 25 

Richard Chalk 25 

Forman Cheesman 25 

Aspinwall Cornwall 10 

A. Campbell 10 

W. Cahoone 6 

David Cumming 5 

R. Curtiss 5 

Jonathan Cowdry 5 

D 
Frederick Depeyster 50 
Catharine Depeyster 50 
Abraham Depeyster 50 
James F. Depeyster 60 
Robert G, L. Depeyster 50 
Frederick Depeyster, Jun.50 
David Dunham 50 

Anthony Dey 50 

Benjamin Desobry 50 

John F. Delaplaine 50 

Francis Diederichs 50 

Robert Dickey 50 

Charles Dickinson 50 

Matthew L. Davis 50 

John Depeyster 30 

J. Dixon 25 

Alexander Dunlap 25 

John Day 25 

S. Denton 25 

Samuel Doughty 25 

Samuel Davis 23 

David L. Dodge 25 

Joel Davis 25 

Charles Douglas 10 



63 





Dolls. 




JJutly 


Prom Downer, Satterlee &Co. 1 | 


From N. L. & G. Griswold 2b 


Gerard Depeyster 


5 


Samuel Gedney 


25 


Abraham Dally 


5 


John Gardner 


25 


E 




John Grant 


25 


William Edgar 


50 


John Green 


25 


William Edgar, Jun. 


50 


Cornelius Grinnell 


25 


Henry Eckt'ord 


50 


James Gillespie 


25 


Thomas Eddy 


25 


John A. Graham 


25 


Peter Elting 


25 


George Gibbs 


25 


James M'Evers 


25 


Garrit Gilbert 


20 


F 




Edward Gilbert 


10 


Henry Fanning 


50 


William Green 


10 


Thomas Farmar 


50 


I. Gallagher 


10 


Fanning & Coles 


50 


C. Graham 


5 


Andrew Foster 


50 


William Gibson 


5 


Thomas Franklin 


40 


Andrew Garr 


5. 


Fosdick & Co. 


25 


James Gibson 


5 


John Franklin 


25 


H 




Matthew Franklin 


25 


Thomas Hamersley 


50 


William Franklin 


25 


Isaac Heyer 


50 


Benjamin Ferris 


25 


William Hogan 


50 


Elijah Ferris 


25 


John Hunter 


50 


William Few 


25 


Renssellaer Havens 


50 


R. B. Forbes 


25 


Jabez Harrison 


50 


M. G. Field 


25 


John Hone 


50 


Thomas Freeborn 


25 


James Heard 


50 


Peter Fenton 


25 


John H. Howland 


50 


Nicholas Fish 


25 


Abigail Hicks 


59 


John Ferrers 


20 


Stephen Hathaway, 


Jun. 50 


Robert Fulton 


10 


Israel Horsfield 


50 


J. B. Fleming 


5 


Simeon Hyde 


50 


G 




Asahel Hathaway 


50 


Archibald Gracie 


75 


Samuel Hicks 


45 


Robert Gilchrist 


50 


0. H. Hicks 


40 


David Gelston 


50 


Thomas Herring 


40 


Maltby Gelston 


50 


David Hosack 


30 


Joseph Grinnell 


50 


E. Hart 


25 


Nathaniel Griswold 


50 


Valentine Hicks 


25 


fohn I. Glover 


25 


Goold Hoyf 


25 



64 





Dolls 




Dolls. 


From Adrian HegemaH 


25 


From Philip Kearney 


50 


H. E. Haight 


25 


Arthur Kinder 


50 


Elias Haines 


25 


John Kane 


50 


Cornelius Heyer 


25 


Elias Kane 


50 


Michael Hogan 


25 


Henry King 


50 


D. L. Haight 


25 


John M'Kesson 


50 


Whitehead Hicks 


25 


Henry Kneeland 


50 


Henry Hillmaa 


25 


Isaac L. Kip 


25 


Walter Hyer 


20 


Edmund Kirby 


25 


Garrit Hyer 


20 


Thomas Kinder 


25 


William Hunter 


10 


William King 


25 


William Hill 


10 


John M'Kie 


25 


Peter Hattrick 


10 


William M'Kenney 


25 


H. Hinsdale 


5 


Aaron Kimberly 


25 


John E. Hyde 


5 


Peter M'Kinley 


20 


William Holmes 


5 


John D. Keese 


20 


William Harris 


5 


L 




Joseph Haskett 


5 


Herman Le Roy 


75 


I & J 




D. Lynch 


75 


Samuel Jones, Jun, 


75 


B. Livingston 


50 


Edward R. Jones 


50 


Mordecai Lewis 


50 


Joshua Jones 


50 


James Lovett 


50 


John Jones 


50 


George Lorillard 


50 


William Jauncey 


50 


Thomas Lawrence 


50 


Stephen Jumel 


50 


William Lawrence 


50 


I. W. Jarvis 


50 


Jacob Lorillard 


50 


Amasa Jackson 


50 


Cornelius Low 


50 


N. Judah 


25 


John Lang 


50 


N. Ingraham 


25 


Hannah N. Lawrence 


50 


S. F. Jenkins 


25 


J. G. Lake 


50 


William Johnson 


25 


E. Lyde, Jun. 


50 


Cave Jones 


25 


Jonathan Little 


50 


W. H. Jephson 


25 


William S. Leney 


50 


Samuel Jackson 


25 


R. R. Lawrence 


45 


Moses Judah 


10 


John Leonard 


45 


D. S. Jones 


5 


Augustus H. Lawrence 


40 


K 




John C. Ludlow 


40 


Archibald Kerly 


50 


Gulian Ludlow 


30 


John W. Kearney 


50 


John R. Livingston 


30 



65 





Dolls. 




Dolh. 


Prom G. Lindsay 


25 


From John Mason 


50 


John B. Lawrence 


25 


Stephen B. Munn, Jun 


50 


John T. Lawrence 


25 


G. W. Murray 


50 


Isaac Lawrence 


25 


Mary Murray 


50 


Lawrence & Whitney 


25 


Hannah Murray 


50 


Samuel Leggett 


25 


Harriet Murray 


40 


James Lent 


25 


John Murray, Jun. 


40 


James W. Lent 


25 


John R. Murray 


40 


J. H. Livingston 


25 


Andrew Morris 


30 


Abner Labagh 


25 


John Murray 


25 


John M'Lane 


25 


William Minturn 


25 


John Leonard 


20 


James Minturn 


25 


D. R. Lambert 


20 


N. G. Minturn 


25 


George Lawrence 


10 


S. B. Munn 


25 


L. Loomis 


10 


Washington Morton 


25 


Samuel A. Lawrence 


10 


William Moore 


25 


Jacob Le Rroy 


5 


James Manning 


25 


P. V. Ledyard 


5 


Charles Marsh 


25 


E. L Lazarus 


5 


Sylvanus Miller 


25 


James Lawrence 


5 


Edmund Morewood 


25 


James L. Livingston 


5 


Asher Marx 


25 


Charles Loss 


5 


Samuel Mott 


25 


Jacob Latting 


5 


Samuel Miller 


25 


M 




Mangle Minthorn 


25 




Thomas H. Merry 


25 


Peter Jay Munro 


75 


Walter Morton 


25 


B. J. Mititurn 


50 


Mulhenburg & Smith 


20 


John B. Murray 


50 


Major & Gillespie 


20 


Peter ^/Tesier 


50 


John Movvatt, Jun, 


20 


Lewis Mark 


50 


B. P. Melick 


10 


Moses L. !VIo?es 


50 


B. Marshall 


10 


G'Sidon S. Mnmford 


50 


Peter A. Mesier 


10 


Ch:irles Miller 


5s: 


Dr. E. Miller 


10 


Robert B. Minturn 


50 


Samuel Miiligan 


10 


Wi!!i?im R. Minturn 


50 


Stuart Mollan 


5 


Lindley Murray 


60 


Dr. M'Neven 


5 


Ann Musgrove 


50 


Robert M'Mennomy 


5 


Tyler Maynard 


50 


Asa M'lnn 


5 


James B. Murray 


50 


James M'-Master 


5 



66 





Dolls. 




Dolls. 


N 




From H. B. Pierpoint 


25 


From George Newbold 


50 


W. &i G. Post 


25 


Timothy Nostrand 


10 


John Parmiter 


10 







Stephen Pinckney 


10 


Samuel Osgood 


100 


Porri & Rinaldi 


5 


Andrew Ogden 


50 


Q 




T. L. Ogden 


50 


James Quackenbush 


25 


D. B. Ogden 


50 


R 




D. A. Ogden 


50 


Henry Rutgers 


500 


W. F. Osgood 


50 


William Rogers 


50 


William Ogden 


40 


John J. Roulet 


60 


Jonathan Ogden 


25 


John Rogers 


50 


B. Otis 


25 


Nicholas Romaine 


50 


William Osborn 


10 


Moses Rogers 


50 


P 




Gilbert E. Russell 


50 


Pepin & Breschard 


74 


Eliza Remsen 


50 


Thomas Pearsall 


50 


Stephen Van RenssellaeriO 


Wright Post 


50 


Mary Rhinelander 


50 


Frederick Philips 


50 


J. R. B. Rodgers 


50 


Isaac Pierson 


50 


William Rhinelander 


50 


Stephen Rice 


50 


Philip Rhinelander 


50 


Nathaniel Prime 


50 


Jane Renwick 


50 


William Palmer 


50 


Abraham Russell 


50 


William A. Prince 


50 


Peter Remsen 


30 


Samuel Prince 


50 


James Roosevelt 


30 


John Pintard 


50 


Sarah Maria Romayne 


25 


Samuel Parsons 


45 


Cornelius Ray 


25 


B. D. Perkins 


40 


W. W. Rodman 


25 


N. Philips 


25 


Wm. Rhinelander, Jun 


25 


William P>e 


25 


John W. Russell 


25 


Robert Pearsall 


25 


Henry Remsen 


25 


William M. Pluymert 


25 


William Rhodes 


25 


Benjamin Pell 


25 


William T. Robinson 


25 


Benjamin Page 


25 


William & S. Robinson 25 


Henry Post, Jun. 


25 


John Rooke 


25 


Abraham Prall 


25 


B. W. Rogers 


25 


Nathaniel Pendleton 


25 


John Rathbone, Jun. 


25 


Alexander Phoenix 


25 


James C Roosevelt 


25 


J. C. PiersoQ 


25 


Cornelius C. Roosevelt 


20 



67 



Dolls. 

From W. H. Robinson 20 

Henry Rankin 20 

James I. Roosevelt 20 

Martin Rabbeson 10 

Andrew Raymond 10 

G. Robertson 10 

James Robertson 5 

H. F. Rogers 5 

J. Roe 5 

S 

Josiah Sturges 50 

John Stevens 50 

Peter A. Scheuck 5tl 

Francis Saltus 50 

John Suydam 50 

Gabriel Shaw 50 

Nathan Sanford 50 

Edmund Seaman 50 

Robert Seaman 50 

Thomas Storm 50 

N. W. Stuyvesant 50 

Ebenezer Stevens 50 

Benjamin Strong 50 
Thos. & Wm. Stevenson 50 

A. L. Stewart 50 

John C. Smith 50 

Jacob Sherred 50 

R. Speaight 40 

Allen Shepherd 25 
John S. Schermerhorn 30 

Isaac Sebring 30 

Thomas Smyth 25 

Thomas Stevenson 25 

John SUdell 25 

A. R. Smedes 25 

Jacob Schieffelin 25 

Gamaliel Smith 25 

Samuel Stansbury 25 



DotU. 

From John Stoutenburgh 25 

James Scott 25 

John H. Sickels 25 

Thomas Snell 25 

William T. Slocum 25 

Thomas Slidell 25 

Thomas Stagg, Jun. 25 

Peter Stuyv'^esant 25 

Isaac Sharpies 25 

P. Schermerhorn, Jun. 25 

John F. Suytlani 20 

Smith & Loomis 20 

William Smith 20 

Sayre & Richards 20 

Margaret Stuyvesant 15 

Hector Scott 10 

Valentine Seaman 10 

George Suckley 10 

John btephens 10 

James Stewart 10 

Jacob Shute 5 

T 

Thomas Tom 50 

James Thompson, Jun. 50 

Stephen Thome, Jun. 50 

John Thompson 50 

John Taylor 50 

Noah Taylor 50 

Henry Ten Brook 40 

Francis Thompson 40 

James Thomson 25 

John Tom 25 

John Titus 25 

Noah Talcot 25 

Michael M. Titus 25 

Richard Titus 25 

Daniel D. Tompkins 25 

Jeremiah Thompson 25 



68 



Dolls. 

From Richard I. Tucker 20 

John Turner 20 

R. & K. Townsend 20 

Joseph Thebaud 20 

Silas Talbott 5 

James Turk 5 

* George Tredwell 5 

Robert Thomson 5 

U & V 

John M'VicUar 50 

Richard Varick 40 
Gerrit H. Van Wagenen 25 

J. C. Vandenheuvel 25 
Van Gieson & Van Blar- 

com 25 

P. C. Van Wyck 25 

N. Van Antwerp 25 

John Vanderbilt, Jun. 25 

Wynant Van Zandt 20 

J. Van Blarcom 20 

William Vandevoort 20 

Joseph Vecchlo 5 

Van Dyck & Ainsley 5 

William Underbill 5 

W 

Charles Wilkes 50 

Wm. M'Adam Wilkes 50 

Lemuel Wells 50 

Henry I. Wyckoff 50 

Augustus Wynkoop 50 

John Watts 50 

Thomas B. Winthrop 50 

Walter Willis 50 

M. Willet 50 

Lewis Wilcox 50 

Henry Ward 50 



JOoUs. 

From John R. Wheaton 50 

William Weyman 60 

G. J. Waddington 50 

G. Williams 50 

John Wilkes 30 

James Wood 25 

Joshua Waddington 25 

Thomas Walden 25 

Jacob Walden 25 

William Walton 25 

Isaac Wright 25 

E. Weeks 25 

George Warner 25 

William Waring 25 

William Wickham 25 

Thomas Wickham 25 

John Wheeler 25 

Joseph Watkins 25 

John G. Warren 25 

Robert Wardell 20 

James Walsh 15 

D. & A. Wolfe 10 

L White 10 

S. Whittemore 10 

J. Wintringham 10 

P. H. Wendover 10 

J. Werckmeister 5 

R. Wiley 5 

John G. Wendell 5 

Samuel Webb 5 
Francis B. Winthrop, Jun.5 

R. White 5 

George Wragg 5 

Y 

John Youle 25 

George Youle 10 



ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS 



FREE-SCHOOL SOCIETY OFJ^EW-YOnK, 



Dolls. 
Prom the Legislature of 
the state, annual dona- 
tion, commenced in 
1807 1000 

From ditto, commenced in 

1811 500 

From Gilbert Aspinwall 8 

William Ash 8 

A. L. Bleeeker 8 

Leonard Bleeeker 8 

Divie Betbune 8 

Jonathan Burrall 8 

Robert Bowne 8 

Jesse Baldwin 8 

William S. Burling 8 

George Bement 8 

N. B. Brower 8 

S. & L. Clarkson 8 

John B. Coles 8 

Elijah Day 8 

Thomas Eddy 8 

Pefer Elting 8 

Matthew Franklin 8 

R. Gilchrist 8 

D. Gelston 8 

James Gourlay 8 

A. S. Glass 8 

Thomas Herring 8 

D. L. Haight ' 8 

H. E. Haight 8 

Isaac H. Jackson 8 

Jetiiel Jaggar 8 

Philip Jacobs 8 

William Jauncey 8 
Brockholst LiTingston 8 



Dolls. 

From John R. Livingston 8 

George Lewis 8 

Jonathan Little 8 

William Leffingwell 8 

John Murray, Jun. 8 

John R. Murray g 

Samuel Miller 8 

Benjamin Ogden 8 

Manuel Prince 8 

Abraham Prall 8 

I. Prall 8 

W. & G. Post 8 

N. Prime 8 

Alexander Phoenix 8 

B.D. Perkins 8 

George Rapalye 8 

James Roosevelt 8 

J. R. B. Rodgers 8 

A. W. Roorbach 8 

E. Raymond 8 

William Smith 8 

Isaac Sebring 8 

J. L. Sebring 8 

William Stillwell 8 

Joseph Strong 8 

John Suydam 8 

Henry Ten Brook 8 

Peter Talman 8 
Gerrit H. Van Wagenen 8 
Henry M. Van Salinger 8 

Abraham Varick 8 

William Walton 8 

Charles Wilkes 8 

William W. Woolsey 8 



70 



From the precedins; list of donations and subscriptions, it will be 
seen, that this society has been favoured with many public and 
private contribufions: and while the Trustees acknowledge, with 
great satisfaction, the reception of such liberal assistance, they 
are not without hope that many others will yet be found willing 
to imitate the same benevolent example; and as some persons, 
who are blessed with extensive means of doing good, may per- 
haps feel disposed to contribute to this institution, by will, it may 
not be improper to add the form of a bequest and a devise, adapt- 
ed to this particular case. 

FORM OF A BEQUEST OF A MONEY LEGACY. 

Item. / give and bequeath to " The Free-School 
Society of New- York,'" the sum of 
to he paid to their Treasurer, for the time being, for 
the use of the said society, in carrying on the benevolent 
designs of their institution, 

FORM OF A DEVISE OP REAL ESTATE, AND 
GROUND RENTS. 

Item. / give and devise u7ito " The Free-School So- 
ciety of New- York," their successors and assigns for 
ever, all that, Sfc. (here describe the property or Ground 
rent) together with the appurtenances. 



TRUSTEES 

OF THE 

FREE-SCHOOL SOCIETY OF NEW-YORK, 

Elected in the Fifth Month, {May) 1814. 

DE WITT CLINTON, President. 
JOHN MURRAY, Jun. Vice-President 
LEONARD BLEECKER, Treasurer. 
THOMAS BUCKLEY, Secretary, 
HENRY TEN BROOK, 
THOMAS EDDY, 
GERRIT H. VAN WAGENEN, 
JOHN R. MURRAY, 
HENRY RUTGERS, 
FREDERICK DE PEYSTER, 
BENJAMIN CLARK, 
JOHN VANDERBILT, Jun. 
ABRAHAM BARKER, 
THOMAS COLLINS, 
JEREMIAH THOMPSON, 
WHITEHEAD HICKS, 
EBENEZER STEVENS, 
CADWALLADER D. COLDEN, 
WILLIAM B. CROSBY, 
BENJAMIN STRONG, 
JOHN E. CALDWELL, 
CHARLES DICKINSON, 
SAMUEL BOYD, 
JOHN ASPINWALL. 



WILLIAM SMITH, Teacher op School No. I. 
JOHN MISSING, Tbacher of Schoqi, No, II. 



CONTENTS. 



Pagt. 

An account of the origin and progress of the 
Society -------_-. --3 

Acts passed by the Legislature, relative to 

the Free-School Society 22 

By-laws for the j>;overnnient of the Trustees 36 
Rules for the government of the Schools - 41 
Duties of the Teachers --.----45 

Kules for the government of the school 
Committees -----------47 

Sketch of the method of education - - - 50 
Donations to the Society ------- 60 

Annual Subscriptions --------69 

Trustees elected in 1814 71 



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